TIPS AND TECHNIQUES

Sunday, March 1, 2015

CARD STOCK SNOB? YEP that's ME!

Who would have ever thought that I'd turn into a card stock snob? I use to think people were crazy to spend so much on card stock. I mean seriously.... Michaels had packs of 50 for $3.99 and sometimes, when on sale, you can get them for $2.50. They have a huge array of colors and if you run out in the middle of a project you can just run out there and pick up more. No waiting for an Internet order or getting a hold of a demonstrator to order some and then wait weeks for the order. Who in their right mind would want to do that? Well I guess me! Now let me tell you why I have changed my mind. No wait...let me show you why I changed my mind.

Lately I have been using between 80 and 110 lb card stock for my base. In the past I have always been totally satisfied with the 65lb papers found at Michaels, Hobby Lobby and Joanns. Then a few years ago I started taking some classes at Archivers (then they closed) and realized thicker was definitely better. Above is a great example. On the left is 65lb white Recollection card stock. I have 3 single matted images adhered with foam dots. The card can not even stand up. As soon as you try it slides down. This is not a small card it is a 4 x 9 so it is a bit long, but it just can't stand up. The card on the right is on 110lb cream Recollection card stock. More expensive and only comes in Black, white, and cream. But it has 3 double matted images and yet stands up quite nicely. So if you ever think weight doesn't matter......it does! I now only use 80lb to 110lb card stock for my bases. I still will use the lighter stuff for layering or punching since some punches wont go through the heavier stuff. Now about the card itself.....I used the little birds in the Stampin up Wetlands set. I C.A.S.E.D this card which originally was a white on white similar to my left wimpy card above. I decides to use a cream cardstock for the base and first layer but then added little scraps of DSP to each square. I just used my scoreboard to do the lines on the bottom of the card.

Hmmm......Guess you can't really see my decorative score lines at the bottom of the card. Oh well they're there on the left side and the right. I think I might throw a couple more cards like this together just to have on hand for "Guy" cards. Can change the birds to boats and they'll look a bit different.

Dimensions are as follows:Base 8"x9" scored at 4" to make a 4"x9" card. This will fit in a legal sized envelope. The cream base square is 2"x2" the DSP is 1 7/8" x 1 7/8" and the cream squares to stamp on are 1 3/4" x 1 3/4".I am obsessed with 4x9 cards right now...First because envelopes are so easy to find and second because I've made a few Easter stamps this size thanks to the ladies in our group. I'll post those later. So until next time............remember use a good quality card stock if you want your cards to stand up and..............HAPPY CARDING!!!

About Me

Mother of 2 and grandmother of 2. We live where seasons have changes and to keep myself busy during the cold months I tend to work on alot of papercrafts. Cards are my ultimate favorite. I love creating and surfing the web looking for ideas and video's from fellow cardmakers.